Series B Financings Continue to Show Strongest Valuations
Series B financings recorded the strongest valuation results in Q3 2018, although the average price increase declined from 117% in Q2 to 92% in Q3, while the median price increase was up moderately from 66% in Q2 to 68% in Q3.

Life Sciences Industry Scores Strongest Valuations
The life sciences industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q3 2018 and the greatest gain from the prior quarter, with an average price increase of 110%, up from 63% in Q2, and a median price increase of 44%, up from 19% in Q2.

Series B Financings Continue to Show Strongest Valuations
Series B financings recorded the strongest valuation results in Q3 2018, although the average price increase declined from 117% in Q2 to 92% in Q3, while the median price increase was up moderately from 66% in Q2 to 68% in Q3.

Life Sciences Industry Scores Strongest Valuations
The life sciences industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q3 2018 and the greatest gain from the prior quarter, with an average price increase of 110%, up from 63% in Q2, and a median price increase of 44%, up from 19% in Q2.

Background
We analyzed the terms of 225 venture financings closed in the second quarter of 2018 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Key FindingsUp Rounds Dominate, with Average Price Increases Declining
Valuation results continued to be strong in Q2 2018, but declined moderately compared to the prior quarter.

Series B Financings Show Strongest Valuation Results
Series B financings recorded the strongest valuation results in Q2 2018, with an average price increase of 117%, an increase from 92% in Q1, and a median price increase of 66%, an increase from 49% in Q1.

Software Industry Notches Strongest Valuation Results
The software industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q2 2018, with an average price increase of 85% and a median price increase of 46%, both moderately higher compared to the prior quarter.

Background
We analyzed the terms of 225 venture financings closed in the second quarter of 2018 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.

We found that valuation results continued to be strong in Q2 2018, but declined moderately compared to the prior quarter. Series B financings recorded the strongest valuation results in Q2, with the software industry showing the strongest valuation results. Read the full report.

Silicon Valley Venture Capital Survey – First Quarter 2018

Background

This report analyzes the terms of 200 venture financings closed in the first quarter of 2018 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Overview of Results

Valuation Results Remain Strong but Have Flattened
Valuation results were generally flat in Q1 2018 compared to the prior quarter. Overall, valuation metrics are well above historical averages, but have plateaued since Q3 2017. Up rounds exceeded down rounds 75% to 15%, with 10% flat in Q1 2018, an increase from Q4 2017 when up rounds exceeded down rounds 70% to 19%, with 11% flat.

The Fenwick & West Venture Capital Barometer™ showed an average price increase in Q1 2018 of 74%, which was flat compared to the prior quarter. The average price increase had previously peaked in Q3 2017 after five consecutive quarters of increases before decreasing moderately in Q4 2017.

The median price increase of financings in Q1 2018 was 41%, a slight decrease from the 42% recorded in Q4 2017, and the second consecutive quarter of declines following four quarters of increases.

Internet/Digital Media Continues to Score Highest Valuation Results
Similar to the prior quarter, the internet/digital media industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q1 2018 compared to the other industries, with an average price increase of 101% and a median price increase of 59%. However, the valuation results for the internet/digital media industry were moderately weaker compared to the prior quarter.

In contrast, the software, hardware and life sciences industries all recorded stronger valuation results in Q1 compared to the prior quarter. The hardware industry, in particular, recorded the second strongest valuation results in Q1 and the greatest improvement in valuation results compared to the prior quarter, with the average price increase increasing from 40% in Q4 2017 to 97% in Q1 2018 and the median price increase increasing from 13% in Q4 2017 to 52% in Q1 2018.

Download the full report covering top line trends for venture capital financings of Silicon Valley companies in Q1. ​​​​​​

Background
This report analyzes the terms of 200 venture financings closed in the first quarter of 2018 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Overview of ResultsValuation Results Remain Strong But Have Flattened
Valuation results were generally flat in Q1 2018 compared to the prior quarter. Overall, valuation metrics are well above historical averages, but have plateaued since Q3 2017.

Up rounds exceeded down rounds 75% to 15%, with 10% flat in Q1 2018, an increase from Q4 2017 when up rounds exceeded down rounds 70% to 19%, with 11% flat.

Internet/Digital Media Continues to Score Highest Valuation Results
Similar to the prior quarter, the internet/digital media industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q1 2018 compared to the other industries, with an average price increase of 101% and a median price increase of 59%.

However, the valuation results for the internet/digital media industry were moderately weaker compared to the prior quarter. In contrast, the software, hardware and life sciences industries all recorded stronger valuation results in Q1 compared to the prior quarter.

This quarter we are giving you, our readers, a “First Look” report that allows us to provide you the top-line trends for venture capital financings of Silicon Valley companies in Q1 more quickly. This “First Look” will be followed in several weeks with a more in-depth “Full Analysis” that will provide a broader perspective and include coverage of venture capital financings in other geographies drawing on data from a variety of industry reports.

Background
This report analyzes the terms of 190 venture financings closed in the fourth quarter of 2017 by companies headquartered in Silicon Valley.

Overview of ResultsValuation Results Remain Strong
Valuation results continued to be strong in Q4 2017, but the percentage price increases declined moderately compared to the prior quarter, following three consecutive quarters of increases.

Internet/Digital Media Scores Highest Valuation Results
The internet/digital media industry recorded the strongest valuation results in Q4 2017 compared to the other industries, with an average price increase of 179% and a median price increase of 51%, both up from the prior quarter.

Valuation Results Down for Series D Financings
Series D financings recorded the weakest valuation results in Q4 2017 compared to the other financing rounds, with the highest percentage of down rounds and the lowest average and median price increases of all the financing rounds.